Nigel P Johnson graduated from Manchester University in the UK with
Degrees of BSc in Joint Honours in Physics and Chemistry 1980, MSc
Chemistry 1982 and gained a PhD from the University of Strathclyde in
1986 and a permanent position at the University of Glasgow in the
Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering now as senior
research fellow. He previously worked on kinetics, semiconductor
growth, spectroscopic defect characterisation and has worked on opal
photonic structures since 1996. Work includes the synthesis and
measurements of both opal and inverse opal structures including large
area defect free self-assembly. The group has worked on Metamaterials
since 2005 and demonstrated the magnetic response of split ring
resonators (SRRs) at visible frequencies and the use of asymmetric
split ring resonators as organic sensor elements in the infra red
region. Dr Johnson is a Fellow of IoP, member of SPIE and a senior
member of
IEEE. He leads the Glasgow team in the
Metamorphose
(MetaMaterials organized for radio, millimeter wave, and photonic
superlattice engineering) a virtual institute of more than 23 European
institutions. He is also UK delegate and member of the management
committee for COST Action MP0702 Towards
Functional Sub-Wavelength Photonic Structures. The latter two
organisations arrange international schools, and conferences on
metamaterials and nanophotonics.
Current interests and PhD projects in Nanophotonics and
Optoelectronics
Metamaterials and Photonic Crystals - applications include organic
materials and bio-material sensing, polarisation control, surface
reflectivity control, Photonic wires for integrated optics.
Adding functionality to 3-D Opal photonic crystals
Opal and inverse opal structures have enjoyed a recent boost to their
functionality with the use of doping via larger and smaller spheres,
and the demonstration of structure modification via FIB patterning, and
pattern transfer using nano-imprint lithography. The aim is to build on
these techniques to move from characterisation of material properties
to the development of devices.
Metamaterials in the visible range
Metamaterials based on subwavelength sized arrays of metallic split
ring resonators have shown resonances in the IR and visible
wavelengths. The aim is to fabricate structures which can have feature
sizes in the 10s of nanometers, explore different geometries and fully
characterise their properties.
There are a number of Doctoral Training Fund
studentships available -these pay fees at the home student rate and a
stipend for living costs. At present the rules allow non-UK EU
students the payment of fees only. Non-EU students need to find other
sources. If you are interested in a PhD in above areas contact me
direct -a CV and application
form will eventually be required. Alternatively use the online
application form and indictate metamaterials or photonic crystals as
your area of interest.
